Nick Auterac signs for Northampton Saints
Tuesday 21 January, 2020
Northampton Saints can today announce that former England U20 international Nick Auterac will join the Club ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The 27-year-old prop will make the switch to Franklin’s Gardens from Gallagher Premiership rivals Harlequins, having also enjoyed a stint with Bath Rugby after graduating from the Saracens Academy set-up.

Auterac boasts international honours after representing England U20 during the 2012 Six Nations Championship, and the 120kg forward is relishing the prospect of linking up with a talented group of looseheads at Saints.

“I’m really excited to be joining a massive Club in Northampton Saints, who are proving themselves to be genuine contenders for silverware this season,” said Auterac.

“Saints play an exciting brand of rugby in front of a partisan crowd – having experienced the Franklin’s Gardens atmosphere first-hand, I can’t wait to run out there every week.

“The Club’s ambition and upward trajectory over the past couple of years has been clear to see. Their scrum in particular has come on leaps and bounds, so I’m really excited to get to work with a talented group of coaches and to challenge for that No.1 jersey in Northampton.”

Auterac played a major role in helping Bath reach the 2015 Premiership final following his move from north London, and to date has made 20 appearances for Quins since his arrival in the summer of 2018.

Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd added: “We’re delighted to be able to announce our first new signing for next season, and we’re confident Nick will be a quality addition to our front row.

“He is highly respected and experienced within the Premiership, and has shown throughout his career so far that he is not only a strong scrummager but very capable around the park too – which of course fits the mould for how we play at Saints.

“But Nick’s also a player with plenty of potential to improve; he’s just entering what will be his peak years as a front-row forward, so I think he can take his performances to another level under Matt Ferguson, Phil Dowson and the rest of the coaches at Franklin’s Gardens.”

Guessing Quins will bring in another loosehead then? If Marler continues with England does that leave us with just Botta and Lambert( potentially retiring)?

I always thought he was a good player with a lot of potential. It's a shame we didn't see the best of him.

It's hard to sign an established player, as they know they will play second fiddle to Marler.

I think we need to develop someone from the academy and another young ish prop to compete with the academy players.

It seems as if other clubs are getting their recruitment set out. How long shall we wait for our signings to be named?

Didn't we start to announce as we got closer to the season ticket selling period?

I know there used to be a lot of comment about us being comparatively late to announce signings.

Presumably because by the end of July people are thinking, "I say! Is that it?".

Alot of other clubs have announced players leaving and coming. Mainly Northampton.

The transfer market for top players is very competitive with french and Japaenese clubs looking to hover up players.

I would like to see the club announce signings as they come in. By leaving it, other players may be discouraged in signing.

Also as fan it is very frustrating.